If Hester is seen as romantic her problems would have been rooted with Puritan society and its evils. But all of her downfalls are based on decisions made by her own inner thoughts and feelings. The tragedy of Dimmesdale dying can only be seen as the tragic flaw of the character, and not a tragedy to society. The "evils" of the puritan society never made its way into the life of Hester, but the burden of having to deflect it made her a problem to herself.
Although Hester can be seen as both, she is, inevitably, a transcendentalist. Hester's decisions are based on her own intuitions, not that of the Puritans. The scarlet letter was "[...] taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself." Her confidence and use of the scarlet letter as a motivational tool separates her from the Puritan use of the scarlet letter as a means pf punishment. Hester is "[...] so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!" Her creation of a new identity for herself individualizes her from the rest of society. No longer viewed how the Puritans expected the rest of society to view her as, Hester no longer carries a burden of punishment, but the burden of creating her own identity.
Her final words of true intuition, "Be true! Be true! Be true! [...]" provides insight to her inner most feelings about herself. Hester never attempted to prove herself to anyone, but herself. And True to herself, she became a transcendentalist.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
society, which is a stark contrast to how Hester was described, was when he described…
- 623 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Hester was convicted of being an adulterer, and the novels follows her story in a 17th century Puritan town. The tale focuses on Hester, her daughter Pearl, her lover Dimmesdale, and her husband Chillingworth. They are all enduring their own battles with sin, some coming out of it better than others. Pearl is a physical version of Hester and Dimmesdale’s consciences. Pearl serves as a living version of the scarlet A on Hester’s chest. She torments Hester, and pushes Dimmesdale to acknowledge his sins. Pearl serves as a major character in this classic tragedy, and leaves the character better off than they…
- 801 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
This quote shows the theme of sin and knowledge. Hester and Dimmesdale decide to run away to Europe together. It is deeply ironic, too, that it is her punishment, which was intended to help her atone and to make her an example for the community, but people started to accept her and see that she was not that bad at all. And Hester became a kind of advice giver for women of a sort. At least Dimmesdale feels happy now.…
- 3184 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Throughout the story, the reader can clearly identify the contrast of Hester’s views of her scarlet letter from the beginning of the book to the end. The defiance and ignorance of Hester is clearly visible when Hester is being questioned on the pedestal by Reverend Mr. Wilson. “Speak out thy name! That, and thy repentance, may avail to take the scarlet letter off thy breast. …Never! It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!” (47). This dialogue between Reverend Mr. Wilson and Hester clearly defines Hester’s thoughts and feelings towards her sin at the beginning of the book. It exposes Hester’s lack of self-acceptance of her adultery crime when she refuses to give out the name of the father of the baby. Further into the book, it is established Hester is a different woman who slowly defines herself as a sinner but an acceptor of her sin. After several years have passed since her sin, Hester is separated from the community but becomes very important to it with her needle work. She slowly morphs into a kind, helping community member who helps the less fortunate. All in all, Hester is a more confident and accepting person of herself and her life through the beginning of the book to the end.…
- 930 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The people of the town see otherwise until they see the great improvement in her attitude as she's helping by doing various tasks in her town. When walking through town, “…she never raised her head to receive their greeting. If they were resolute to accost her, she laid her finger on the scarlet letter and passed on” (Hawthorne, 127). The guilt is destroying her and overwhelming which results in her change in the novel. A living reminder of her sin of course Pearl, her constant companion. One also affected by Hester's change is her daughter Pearl; the same traits that Hester has are displayed by pearl in the story. It is true what Hester believes in as far as committing sin help one discover themselves but run the risk of being talked down soon by friends or just the local town folk. She uses her experiences and helps change the perspective of the to the townsfolk, regarding their idea on the letter "A". How does this not bother her? Hester is strong mentally as she is physical. One of the greatest sins is not taking a toll on her reputation because others seem to look past it and notice her for the person she has become and not the girl she was before she committed the…
- 697 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Initially, Hawthorne conveys Hester’s isolation from society which is brought on by the scarlet letter, by putting her in her own sphere. The most noticeable feature of Hester as she exits the prison is the elaborate scarlet letter that is embroidered on her chest. Immediately, Hawthorne mentions that the letter “[takes Hester] out of the ordinary relations with humanity and [encloses] her in a sphere by herself” (46). The language here shows the isolation brought on by the letter because Hester no longer has the same relations with humanity, which in this case signifies the uniform Puritan society. Her interactions with others are altered now that she is by herself. The letter puts Hester in a different world, away from that of society and causes her to be alone. Even people that do not understand the…
- 1616 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
When The Scarlet Letter was written the Author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, discovered many ideas and facts about the Puritan community. Knowing this Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about how women in the 17th century lived and how strict the society's rules can be, one major rule that was followed strictly phonate was “Actions spoke louder than words, so actions had to be constantly controlled.” (nd.edu). When the book begins it starts with introducing Hester and how she has done this huge violation according to the bible, maybe even causing the death penalty upon herself. As The Scarlet Letter goes through the timeline of how she is isolated and is shunned from the society; eventually, Hester slowly becomes part of the society by being the pure character she really was. This lets her take off the scarlet “A” and change the meaning of Adultery to the meaning of Able. Hawthorne decribes the climax of Hester’s story by expressing, “The letter was the symbol of her calling. such helpfulness…
- 674 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Hester and Dimmesdale have sinned. Nevertheless, after winning they both spent the rest of their lives trying to gain penance for their sins through pain and suffering. Eventually, they both have found redemption in the eyes of God.…
- 612 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the Scarlet Letter, it is remarkable how Hawthorne shows Hester Prynne's strength of character. Although Hawthorne does not give us much information about Hester's life prior to the novel, he does show her great character which is revealed through the number of trials and obstacles she faced, her public humiliation and isolated Puritan life. Hester seems to have changed the greatest in character and attitude, from a haughty and proud demeanor to having a warm and tender heart. Throughout the novel, Hester changes three different times, from being a shamed woman to a capable and able woman and then to a healer. Her honesty, strong willed spirit and compassion may have been in her character all along, but the scarlet letter really brought it to the attention or others.…
- 1139 Words
- 3 Pages
Better Essays -
She almost lost her only child, and was not able to openly love who she wanted. Throughout the book she was feeling guilty, also feeling sorry for making Dimmesdale go through the suffering as well. She wanted to love again furthermore not to die with no one on her side, loneliness and lack of love led her to commit a “crime,” according to the Puritan society. All what Hester wanted someone that loves her and helps her but the puritan society prevented that from happening, so she became a victim of their rules and…
- 812 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In the scarlet letter, the main character, Hester Prynne, both excepts and rejects traditional gender roles for her culture. This is evident throughout the whole book as she rejects the typical stereotype of women of this day in time, while she also follows along with it as well. Also in this book it is obvious of another character who is less of what the typical man should be. Therefore making Hester Prynne a powerful symbol of strength for women by not completely conforming to the typical role that women often played during this point in time in the puritan society.…
- 456 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The scarlet letter carries a touch of irony because she wears the A without any embarrassment. Also, Hester’s appearance, which contrasts with most of the Puritans, shows the individuality she…
- 1401 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Overall, The Scarlet Letter is primarily concerned with the thoughts and feelings of Hester Prynne. Hester, being an outcast of society, experiences the most evident and apparent form of isolation and alienation. As a symbol of sin, Hester is viewed by the strict Puritanical town as an outsider, a presence of evil, and, ultimately, one who is detested by God. The town's harsh condemnation of Hester is revealed through a local woman's comment, "…at the very least, they should have put the brand of hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead" (36). Although this dire attitude towards Hester does eventually improve, due to her many benevolent works for the poor, she never truly does escape the feelings of lonesomeness and segregation present in her life. This fact is further stressed by Hawthorne's exclusion of all conversation and dialogues, a usage of context and form, in chapter five to demonstrate that Hester has absolutely no communication with the world beyond her occasional trips to town to receive and deliver embroidery orders. Described as "dark and inscrutable." The forest, in contrast, provides Hester with a secluded habitat in which she may seek truth and escape the glares of humanity, though all the while downhearted and alone (54).…
- 815 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Hester is portrayed as having a strong will and attitude in the Scarlet Letter. She kept her spirits high even when she thought she faced death. She managed to maintain her strength throughout her battles.…
- 538 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Hester’s humility and courageousness is seen many times throughout the story. She never married or pursued another relationship. She placed her main focus on taking good care of her child. She faced the townspeople on the scaffold, as if it did not concern her in anyway. She carried her baby without any shame. The child, a product of her sin of adultery, stirs mixed feelings in Hester. She blushes, but maintains a glance that would not be abashed. She walked around town, not bothering anyone, doing her duties in a quiet manner.…
- 534 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays